Things to do in Zizhou
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Top 10 attractions in Zizhou
Ganquan Canyon
Ganquan Canyon is located in Ganquan County, Yan'an, Shaanxi, and is also known as Yucha Canyon. It is a group of red sandstone fissures hidden deep in the ravines of the Loess Plateau, hailed as a "natural fissure wonder of the Loess Plateau." Legend has it that an ancient earthquake split the mountain, and years of rainwater and flash floods carved out the now winding and graceful ravines. Due to its striking resemblance to Antelope Canyon in the U.S., it is often called the "Chinese Antelope Canyon" by photography enthusiasts. The attraction consists of multiple ravines, including Huashu Gully, Longba Gully, Mudan Gully, and Thread of Sky Gully. Among them, Huashu Gully is renowned for its smooth, layered rock walls, offering both an easy hike and stunning photo opportunities, making it the highlight of the area. The true highlight of this canyon is its play of light and shadow. Around noon on sunny days, sunlight pours straight down through the narrow gap overhead, with warm hues of ochre and gold flowing slowly along the curves of the rock walls, while moss clinging to the surfaces adds a touch of emerald green. Standing at the canyon floor and looking up, the sky narrows into a bright, slender line—between the alternating light and shadow, every casual snapshot becomes strikingly picturesque. On overcast days or during early/late hours when light slants in, the rock walls appear noticeably duller, somewhat diminishing the visual impact. Here are a few tips for your visit: Huashu Gully is gentle and open, ideal for leisurely photography; Longba Gully alternates between wide and narrow sections, offering more adventurous fun; the narrowest part of Yixiantian is particularly cramped, so extra caution is needed when passing through. Some gullies occasionally have accumulated water and mud, making the paths slippery—wearing anti-slip shoes is advisable. If you're here for the light effects, try to schedule your gully visit around noon on sunny days.China · Ganquan
Shihun Square
Shihun Square is located in Suide County, Yulin. The square incorporates elements such as Suide stone carvings, archways, and cave dwellings, forming an imposing array of stone lions. The square's entrance features a giant stone lion, which houses a stone lion museum, elevators, and an observation deck. The cliff walls on both sides of the square are carved with the four-character inscription "Heaven Blesses the Kind" and over 50 relief carvings.Suide · 24.6 km from Zizhou
Qikou Ancient Town
Qikou Ancient Town, located 50 kilometers south of Linxian County, Shanxi Province, is a famous historical and cultural town in China. Xiwan Village in the town is a famous historical and cultural village in China. Moraine (sound qi) mouth is located in the middle of the Shanxi-Shaanxi Gorge of the Yellow River, 48 kilometers south of the county seat, and adjacent to the ancient town of Mengmen in the south. The Yellow River comes from the north, the Qiushui River comes from the east, the Crouching Tiger Mountain is across the north of the town, the Black Dragon Temple stands on the east of the river, the mountains are surrounded by the water, the yin and yang meet, the momentum of the mountains, and the majesty of the river, condensed into "The Yellow River roars with tigers, The magnificent picture of Longyin Moraine Mouth.Lin County · 66.7 km from Zizhou
Mengshan Grand Buddha
The Mengshan Giant Buddha is also known as the Giant Buddha of the Western Mountains. It was built in the Northern Qi Dynasty during the reign of the Tianbao Emperor, making for over a thousand years of history. The Mengshan Giant Buddha was originally carved into the cliff face to the rear of Mengshan's Kaihua Temple. During the later years of the Yuan Dynasty, the Mengshan Giant Buddha was damaged. It was rediscovered in 1980 but, at the time, the head of the Buddha was missing. A new head has since been carved for the giant Buddha. The Mengshan Buddha is incredibly majestic. From the bottom of his legs to his neck is about 30 meters. Based on the proportions of the human body, it is assumed that the original statue (including the missing head) would have been 46 meters tall.China · Taiyuan
Taiyuan Shanxi Merchants Museum
Taiyuan Shanxi Merchants Museum (former site of the Military Governor's Office) is located at 101 Fudong Street in Taiyuan, covering a total area of approximately 100,000 square meters with a building area of about 30,000 square meters and exhibition halls spanning roughly 18,000 square meters. Historical records indicate this site was originally the Temple of Duke Wen of Jin (Chong'er), later serving as Marshal Pan Mei's residence during the early Northern Song Dynasty, followed by provincial administrative offices. During the Jin Dynasty, it functioned as the Hedong Circuit headquarters, transformed into a provincial secretariat in the Yuan Dynasty, became the Shanxi Governor's Office in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and after the Xinhai Revolution...Shanxi Taiyuan Shanxi Merchants MuseumIt served as the Shanxi Provincial Government and Taiyuan Pacification Office. After the liberation of Taiyuan on April 24, 1949, it became the headquarters of the Taiyuan Military Control Commission. In September of the same year, following the establishment of the Shanxi Provincial Committee and Provincial People's Government, it became their office location. In the winter of 1989, the Provincial Committee relocated, and in September 2017, the Provincial People's Government moved out. The original site was then developed into the Taiyuan Shanxi Merchants Museum. In October 2019, the former Governor's Mansion was designated as part of the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council. On December 28, 2020, the Taiyuan Shanxi Merchants Museum officially opened to the public. The Taiyuan Shanxi Merchants Museum is a cultural and historical museum established on the site of the former Governor's Mansion, integrating ancient architecture, garden views, and exhibition spaces. Its permanent exhibition "The Global Shanxi Merchants" begins with the important directives from the Party Secretary during his inspection of Shanxi. Through five thematic sections—the profound foundations of the merchants' rise, their glorious dominance in domestic commerce, their miraculous financial networks spanning the world, the arduous journey of the Ten Thousand Mile Tea Road, and their patriotic spirit of benefiting society—the exhibition offers a comprehensive, multi-dimensional portrayal of Shanxi merchants during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It strives to convey historical depth, cultural richness, the value of artifacts, the authenticity of historical materials, and innovative presentation techniques.China · Taiyuan
The Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor
The Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor is located on Qiao Mountain in Huangling County near Yan'an. The Yellow Emperor is regarded as the ancestor of Chinese civilization. The mausoleum is surrounded by ancient evergreen trees which have been protected for generations. In addition to the mausoleum, the site is also home to the Xuanyuan Temple, which is named after the Yellow Emperor's personal name Xuanyuan. It was constructed during the Han dynasty and is surrounded by a number of ancient evergreen trees, one of which is believed to have been planted by the Emperor himself 5,000 years ago.China · Huangling
Hongtong Dahuaishu Ancestor Memorial Garden
Hongtong Dahuaishu Ancestor Memorial Garden is a national AAAAA-level tourist Attraction and a key cultural relic protection unit in Shanxi Province. The Attraction is located in Hongtong County, Shanxi Province, 2 kilometers away from Hongtong Railway Station, 3 kilometers away from Dayun Expressway Intersection, 8 kilometers away from Daxi High-speed Railway, and 22 kilometers away from Linfen Airport. The transportation is extremely convenient. The Attraction consists of four major theme sections: "Immigration Historic Site Area", "Ancestor Worship Activity Area", "Folk Customs Tour Area" and "Fenhe Ecological Area", with a total of more than 60 scenic and cultural attractions. It is the only folk worship holy place in the country with the themes of "seeking roots" and "worshiping ancestors". In recent years, Hongtong Dahuaishu Root-seeking and Ancestor-worshiping Park has achieved brilliant results with the joint efforts of all employees. It has been awarded "National Civilized Unit", "National Youth Civilized Unit", "National Primary and Secondary School Students' Research and Practice Education Base", "High-level Service Industry Standardization Demonstration Project", "China Overseas Chinese International Cultural Exchange Base", "China Couplet Cultural Garden", "National Model Workers' Home", "National Factory Affairs Open Democratic Management Demonstration Unit", "Second Shanxi Quality Award Nomination Award", "Shanxi May 1st Labor Award", "Shanxi Top Ten Quality Tourist Attraction", "Shanxi National Traditional Festival Protection Demonstration Site", "Shanxi Civilized Scenic Attraction", "Shanxi Civilized Tourism Advanced Unit", "Shanxi Cultural Industry Advanced Unit", "Shanxi Cultural System Reform Advanced Unit" and more than 100 other major brand honors. Its unique "Dahuaishu Ancestor Worship Custom" has been listed as the second batch of "Intangible Cultural Heritage". On the morning of October 29, 2018, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism held a plaque awarding ceremony for new 5A-level tourist Attraction, and Hongtong Dahuaishu Root-seeking and Ancestor-worshiping Park was officially promoted to a national 5A-level tourist Attraction. Nowadays, it has gradually formed a comprehensive tourism service area with Attraction, folk hotels and travel agencies as the main business sectors, tourism cultural and creative product development and cultural media development as the flanks, integrating food, accommodation, transportation, travel, shopping and entertainment.China · Hongtong
Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum
The Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum is a specialized site museum dedicated to the in-situ preservation and exhibition of tomb murals, centered around the Xu Xianxiu Tomb. Located in Yingze District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, it covers a total area of 20,000 square meters, including a 3,830-square-meter exhibition hall and a 1,525-square-meter mural conservation research center. As a museum integrating history, art, and culture, it offers visitors a window to deeply explore ancient Chinese mural art and Northern Qi Dynasty culture. Currently, there are approximately 40 Northern Dynasty mural tombs nationwide, with about 20 relatively well-preserved. Most of these are Northern Qi Dynasty mural tombs. The ancient city of Jinyang in Taiyuan, Shanxi, known as a "fusion zone of Hu and Han cultures," houses a rich collection of Northern Qi mural tombs. The Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum not only features public exhibition halls but also includes a mural restoration research center. The exhibition halls are divided into three thematic spaces: "Splendor of the Secondary Capital," "A Glimpse Through Millennia," and "Elegance in Simplicity," focusing on Northern Qi murals to interpret the era's characteristics and Jinyang's pivotal role in cultural exchange and ethnic integration from the Northern Dynasties to the Sui and Tang periods. The mural restoration research center continues its preservation work at the Xu Xianxiu Tomb site, achieving remarkable results by effectively addressing various deterioration issues and stabilizing the murals in both the burial chamber and passageway. This serves as a valuable reference for in-situ mural tomb preservation both domestically and internationally. The Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum houses murals from the Lou Rui Tomb and Xu Xianxiu Tomb in Taiyuan, as well as murals from Jiuyuangang in Xinzhou and Shuiquanliang in Shuozhou. These numerous precious Northern Qi murals are renowned for their vibrant colors and vivid depictions, showcasing the social customs, religious beliefs, and artistic achievements of the Northern Qi period. Visitors can admire these artistic treasures up close in the exhibition halls, appreciating the exquisite craftsmanship and creative wisdom of ancient artisans. Beyond static displays, the museum employs modern technologies like multimedia presentations and virtual reality to digitally recreate historical scenes from the Northern Qi era, immersing visitors in the ancient society of a thousand years ago. Regularly held cultural lectures and thematic exhibitions also provide visitors with opportunities for in-depth learning and exchange. The Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum showcases exquisite murals that narrate the early formation of China's unified multi-ethnic civilization and the evolutionary process of agricultural and nomadic cultural integration. These murals serve as irreplaceable treasures for studying steppe history and culture, as well as exemplary models of East-West civilizational exchange. Whether you're an art enthusiast, history researcher, or visitors fascinated by ancient Chinese culture, you'll find a perfect journey here exploring mural artistry and experiencing cultural charm.China · Taiyuan
Ordos Prairie
Ordos prairie (national AAAA-level tourist attraction) is a model grassland resort in western Inner Mongolia. It has been awarded honors including national study travel base (camp), autonomous region-level civilized tourism demonstration unit, autonomous region-level tourism resort, the third batch of autonomous region study travel camps, and top 10 cultural enterprises of the autonomous region. Established in 2004 and located in Hanggin Banner, Ordos City, the attraction boasts over 16,000 acres of premium natural grassland views and has welcomed more than 3.66 million domestic and international visitors to date. The attraction delves deep into the grassland culture, seamlessly blending magnificent natural views with immersive cultural experiences. It has meticulously crafted five cultural performance projects: the live-action equestrian show "Heroes," featuring galloping horses across the plains, was named one of the top ten art-tourism integration cases by the China Tourism Academy in April 2023; the "Ordos Wedding," recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage; the acrobatic show "Flying Over the Grassland," combining thrilling stunts with pastoral charm; the Yuan Dynasty court ritual "Zhamayan Feast"; and the "Bonfire Party," showcasing traditional grassland folk customs. Together, they form a comprehensive immersive grassland cultural experience matrix. As a pioneer in equestrian tourism, the attraction features a modern racecourse spanning 300,000 square meters, housing nearly 300 premium horses from the Netherlands, Arabia, and other regions. It offers a comprehensive equestrian tourism product integrating professional competitions, youth equestrian training, equine culture studies, and leisure riding. It has developed into a distinctive equestrian culture experience attraction in China. Guided by the philosophy of "prairie beauty begins with refined service," the attraction is dedicated to creating an ecological prairie resort. Where azure skies meet endless green fields, this poetic prairie retreat unfolds. It awaits the arrival of every traveler.China · Hanggin Banner
Tomb of Meng Tian
The tomb of Fusu is located on the north bank of the Dali River, about half a kilometer southwest of Suide County. The tomb of Meng Tian is located on the west bank of the Dali River, on the campus of No. 1 Middle School in Suide County. Fusu tomb is rectangular, about 30 meters long, 6 meters wide and 8 meters high. Meng Tian's tomb and Fusu's tomb are opposite each other across the Dali River. Fusu was the eldest son of Qin Shihuang, who was virtuous and wise, and was quite popular. Because he did not agree with his father's tyranny, he was sent to Suide to monitor the military affairs of the general Meng Tian. Later, he was given to die together with Meng Tian and buried here. Meng Tian was an outstanding and famous general under Qin Shi Huang. He once fought the Rong and Di to conquer the Huns, built the Great Wall, and made great achievements. In 210 BC, Meng Tian and his son Fusu were consecrated to death. After Meng Tian's death, his subordinate soldiers filled his tomb with soil in their battle robes with tears in their eyes.Suide · 22.9 km from Zizhou
Free things to do in Zizhou
What travelers say about Zizhou
M27***68October 9, 2026
5.0
I visited Ganquan Grand Canyon during the National Day holiday, avoiding the crowds at major cities and tourist attractions. It was a less crowded but still excellent experience!
Recommended by China National Geographic magazine, definitely worth a visit!
It's chilly and damp inside the canyon, so be sure to wear a thick coat. I wouldn't recommend coming in winter; it would probably be too cold.
Ganquan Canyon
320***35August 31, 2026
5.0
Definitely worth seeing! With over thirty actors, every movement and every line was incredibly professional and dedicated – not at all perfunctory! A fantastic live performance! The stage is movable, and the scenery and stage design were meticulously crafted! Thumbs up! 👍 Everything was very well-conceived, and the content was incredibly rich! I learned so much more about the history of Qikou!
Qikou Ancient Town
davidsnowOctober 8, 2026
5.0
Breathtaking view, amazing hike to the top, unreal experience and genuine atmosphere. Highly recommend
Mengshan Grand Buddha
🚲小电驴登儿 🚓October 10, 2026
5.0
The Shanxi Merchants Museum is located within the old Governor's Mansion; its red walls and green tiles are very photogenic. The exhibitions mainly focus on the history of Shanxi merchants and their banks. The courtyard is exquisite, quiet, and not crowded. It's a pleasant place to stroll around; about two hours is sufficient.
Taiyuan Shanxi Merchants Museum
大洋咆哮者October 14, 2026
4.0
The scenic area was larger than I expected. I went on the seventh day of the National Day holiday, and surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded, considering it's in a county town. But as descendants of the Yellow Emperor, having come all the way to Yan'an, I figured I should at least see it. The scenic area is half modern architecture and half historical sites, especially the several thousand-year-old cypress trees and some inscriptions by famous figures. The two Yellow Emperor Temples, one ancient and one modern, each have their own unique characteristics and are definitely worth seeing. However, there's one thing I really want to complain about: Didi (a ride-hailing app) is completely banned in Huangling County. You have to hail a taxi on the roadside, and the only ones you can find are very old-fashioned taxis—old and smelly. The drivers don't use meters and even share rides. But I don't want to complain about any of that because it's practically impossible to hail a taxi. It's impossible to find a car near the hotel or the scenic area entrance. I waited for over ten minutes before finally getting one, and I almost missed my train. You can't be picky. People say Didi disrupts market order, but in my opinion, it's precisely because there's no market competition that the travel experience in Huangling is so terrible. This problem really needs to be addressed.
The Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor
M29***18October 24, 2026
5.0
The booking process was smooth, and the information verification upon arrival was quick. The room matched the description on the website, had good natural light, and no unpleasant odors. The front desk staff were efficient in checking in and even proactively provided directions for getting around the area. I had a comfortable and worry-free stay, and I will definitely choose this hotel again next time I travel.
Hongtong Dahuaishu Ancestor Memorial Garden
M22***56October 16, 2026
5.0
The murals are stunning. This is an underrated museum. You could hire a good guide to learn about the history of the Northern Qi Dynasty. It wasn't crowded on a weekday, and the overall experience was excellent.
Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum
flyinwindsMay 4, 2026
5.0
Although the grass on the grassland wasn't quite green yet in May, the performances at the scenic area were excellent, especially the hero performance. However, one thing I have to mention is that you can enter without buying a ticket and just follow their official WeChat account, and even sit with those who bought tickets. I really don't understand. There are many things to do inside the grassland, the route is well-planned, and several performances are very entertaining.
Ordos Prairie
E50***89October 27, 2021
5.0
The tomb of Fusu, the crown prince of Qin, is located on Shushu Mountain in the county seat. In the 35th year of Emperor Qin Shihuang (212 BC), Fusu, the eldest son of Qin, was demoted to Shangjun. After being killed in 210 BC, he was buried on the top of Shushu Mountain. The mound of the tomb is an irregular rectangular shape, 30 meters long, 6 meters wide and 8 meters high, and the tomb area covers an area of 6,500 square meters. There is a poem that says: The mountain is majestic and connected to the blue sky, and Fusu's tomb is on the dangerous top; until now, the resentment has been lingering day and night, turning into a wisp of smoke.
Tomb of Meng Tian
